Clarification by Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, and Second Minister for Finance and National Development
Ministry of FinanceSpeakers
Summary
This clarification concerns a factual correction by Minister Indranee Rajah regarding the government's projected expenditure for marriage and parenthood initiatives. She stated that these initiatives are expected to cost nearly $7 billion in FY2026, marking a significant increase from over $4 billion in 2020. The Minister clarified that most of this budget increase is driven by investments in the early childhood sector and upcoming enhancements to parental leave. Minister Indranee Rajah emphasized that this spending is separate from existing government subsidies for public housing and general or higher education. This update ensures that the parliamentary record accurately reflects the specific components of the financial commitment to supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families.
Transcript
The following statement was made in the reply given by the Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, and Second Minister for Finance and National Development (Ms Indranee Rajah) during the Motion on “Supporting Singaporeans in Starting and Raising Families” at the Sitting of 5 February 2025:
The Minister, Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development (Ms Indranee Rajah): All in all, factoring our investments in the early childhood sector and upcoming parental leave enhancements, we expect marriage and parenthood initiatives to cost the Government close to $7 billion in FY2026, up from over $4 billion in 2020. That is just for the early childhood sector and the upcoming parental leave enhancements. This is over and above our subsidies for general and higher education as well as our housing subsidies. [Please refer to "Supporting Singaporeans in Starting and Raising Families", Official Report, 5 February 2025, Vol 95, Issue 151, Motions section.]
Written statement by Ms Indranee Rajah circulated with leave of the Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order No. 29(5):
I wish to make the following factual correction to my speech during the Motion on “Supporting Singaporeans in Starting and Raising Families” at the Sitting on 5 February 2025. My reply should read as follows:
The Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development (Ms Indranee Rajah): All in all, factoring our investments in the early childhood sector and upcoming parental leave enhancements, we expect marriage and parenthood initiatives to cost the Government close to $7 billion in FY2026, up from over $4 billion in 2020. Most of that increase is for the early childhood sector and the upcoming parental leave enhancements. This is over and above our subsidies for general and higher education as well as our housing subsidies.